Students from schools across London attended the exciting annual open day for the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation (IIT).

Almost 150 students saw pioneering researchers and medical professionals talk about the work going on at the Institute. Professor Hans Stuass, director of the IIT, began the day and welcomed students to the event. 

Professor Emma Morris invited students from Graveney School to the stage to present their work with the IIT about modifying cells to improve the immune system’s resistance to cancer. 

Students were also invited to experience an interactive session in the atrium at the Royal Free Hospital, where they were given the chance to speak to experts and ask them questions. Stalls on the day included, origami and 3D viruses, a sheep’s lung and heart which students could pump air into, microscopic cells, DNA extraction from strawberries and pipetting competitions. 

Nia Evans, a year 12 student at Graveney School, said: “It has been a really interesting day and it was fun to present the research that we have been doing with the IIT.

“Sessions like this are good because they are interactive and I get to experience what we are learning rather than just hearing someone talking about it. The sheep’s lung was fascinating, feeling it and being able to inflate it myself are things that you cannot read in a book. 

“It is also great to have researchers here right in front of you, so you can ask questions and get answers from the experts – this is great for my education.” 

ENDS

Picture: Nia Evans and Maia Bridges-Smith, students from Graveney School. 

Notes to editors

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.